High School Football Preview: Aberdeen Roncalli Cavaliers at Groton Tigers

September 26, 2008

What and Where: Aberdeen Roncalli vs. Groton in a Northeast Conference football game at Groton. When: 7 p.m. tonight. Records: Groton improved to 3-1 on the season after a 19-7 victory over Deuel. Roncalli moved to 2-1 following a 10-6 win over Mobridge-Pollock. Last Meeting: Groton and Roncalli split a pair of heart-pounding, pad-cracking games last season. Roncalli won the regular season matchup 20-12 before Groton ended Roncalli's season with a 12-7 win in the quarterfinals of the Class 11B playoffs. Both games were at Swisher Field in Aberdeen. Coaches: Shaun Wanner is the head coach at Groton. Aberdeen Roncalli is led by Terry Dosch. Roncalli's Offense: Roncalli scored on its first two possessions last week, but then struggled, losing three fumbles in the contest. “I think we were disappointed in how we executed offensively,” Dosch said. “We need to do a lot better job of executing.” Dosch said the big thing is just making sure to finish off plays. “We're usually at places, we just need to finish things. We need to hang on to the ball.” Dosch said the things that he has noticed are correctable. “There's nothing there that's unfixable.” Groton's Offense: It is no secret that Groton tries to run the ball. “That's been kind of our strength the last couple of weeks,” Wanner said. “We've done a good job of moving the ball on the ground. We need to become a little bit more balanced with the passing game.” Wanner said the Tigers are making a conscious effort at throwing the ball and not becoming so predictable. “At Deuel, we tried to throw the ball on first or second down. We don't want to get away from (the passing game). A lot of people don't realize it, but we have some good receivers.” Roncalli's Defense: Roncalli continues to be solid against the run, but a bit susceptible against the pass. “By and large, we're playing relatively well on defense,” Dosch said. “We do give up some things. We've got a couple of things we need to shore up, yet.” Dosch said playing defense is relatively easy: “Get to the football and when you get there make the tackle.” He said the Cavaliers play a gap-control defense. “If everybody is in their gap, on paper, there is no place to run.” However, that comes into question “when immovable object meets irresistible force.” Groton's Defense: Groton's defense has been solid in recent weeks. “Other than the first game of the season, our varsity defense has only given up two touchdowns the last three games,” Wanner said. “We're getting better. We lost six very good defensive players from last season (when the Tigers were runnerup in Class 11B). Last season (defense) is why we went where we went,” Wanner said. The Tigers have had some success recently against Roncalli by being aggressive. “That's where we're trying to get to,” Wanner said. “I thought last week we were more aggressive than we were against Milbank (the week before).” Dosch on the Tigers: “Groton is a very strong, very solid football team,” Dosch said. “They like to run the ball. They like to be pretty physical; pound, pound. They've also shown that they like to throw the ball.” Dosch said the Tigers feature a potent attack with a solid offensive line and a one-two punch in backs Sam Thorson and Ryan Koehler. “Sam is a strong runner and Ryan Koehler is very fast,” Dosch said. Wanner on the Cavaliers: “I know that they lost a lot of good kids from last year, but I don't think they lost much,” Wanner said. “I think Terry does a good job of coaching what he has.” Wanner said Roncalli quarterback Christian Cox can run or throw, much like Dan O'Keefe did two years ago. “He's a dual threat. He just reminds me a lot of Dan. He can run it and he can throw it. He's a very shifty kid. That worries me.” He also knows about Brendon Hoellein. “I've seen what (Cox and Hoellein) have done the last few years in other sports.” Roncalli's Keys to the Game: “First of all, we have to do a better job up front; at least neutralize the line of scrimmage. We need to get a little push on people. We've been a little flat-footed in coming off the ball,” Dosch said. Of course, penalties and turnovers can also factor in like they did last week. “We can't turn the ball over,” Dosch said. “We just have to play well.” The contest could go a long ways in determining future seed points for the playoffs. “Groton is in our region. They are going to be one of the better teams in our region,” Dosch said. “We would much rather be 3-1 than 2-2. What we try to tell the kids is, it's an important game because it's the next game. We want to play well and we want to continue to improve.” Groton's Keys to the Game: Last week the Tigers gave up a touchdown on the first play of the game. Wanner said a key against the Cavaliers is getting off to a good start. “That's been something that we've talked about. The last two times we played them, we've scored first. That set the tone, defensively. We're probably not going to score a lot of points,” Wanner said. Another key area will be special teams, according to Wanner. “Terry does such a good job with their special teams. They like to come after you. The last couple of games they've done a great job with their special teams. When we play Roncalli we try to work on our special teams during the week.” Game Notes: Tonight marks Groton's homecoming. ... Groton closes out its regular season with three of its last four games at home, including the next three. ... Aberdeen Roncalli returns home for its final two home games the next two weeks. The Cavaliers host Deuel at 5 p.m. next week at Swisher Field. ... Groton is currently tied for fifth in the latest Class 11B football poll. ... This contest marks the first home game for Groton since Aug. 29. The Tigers have played and won three straight on the road. Radio Broadcast: The football game will be broadcast on Pheasant Country FM 103.7. Starting Lineups Aberdeen Roncalli OFFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. TE Logan WherryÉ6-3 195 Sr. OT Charlie DrapeauxÉ6-1 195 Jr. OG Brett SmidÉ6-3 210 Jr. OC Tyler HilzendegerÉ6-0 255 Sr. OG Brandon JohnsonÉ6-3 210 Jr. OT Jon GobczynskiÉ6-0 180 Sr. SE Michael GjernesÉ5-10 160 Sr. QB Christian CoxÉ6-0 160 So. FB Jon HornerÉ5-7 185 Jr. WB Brendon HoelleinÉ6-0 190 So. WB Logan DoschÉ6-2 180 Sr. DEFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. DE Logan WherryÉ6-3 195 Sr. DT Tyler HilzendegerÉ6-0 255 Sr. DT Jon HornerÉ5-7 185 Jr. DE Charlie DrapeauxÉ6-1 195 Jr. LB Brett SmidÉ6-3 210 Jr. LB Brandon JohnsonÉ6-3 210 Jr. LB Brendon HoelleinÉ6-0 190 So. CB Michael GjernesÉ5-10 160 Sr. CB JD CarrelsÉ5-10 160 Sr. S Logan DoschÉ6-2 180 Sr. S Sam PfeifferÉ6-0 165 Jr. or Zach RohlfsÉ6-1 175 Jr. Groton OFFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. TE Evan EricksonÉ6-1 190 Sr. OT Heath GiedtÉ6-1 215 Sr. OG Scott VedveiÉ6-1 200 Sr. OC Kris OlesonÉ5-10 170 Jr. OG Cody HansonÉ6-0 210 Sr. OT Dustin FalkÉ6-0 235 Sr. WR Tanner JohnsonÉ6-2 190 Jr. WR Colin HerronÉ6-1 180 Sr. QB Gabe KjellsenÉ6-0 165 Jr. FB Sam ThorsonÉ6-3 200 Jr. RB Ryan KoehlerÉ5-9 165 Sr. DEFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. DT Heath GiedtÉ6-1 215 Sr. NG Morgan BartellÉ5-10 220 Sr. DT Scott VedveiÉ6-1 200 Sr. LB Charlie PrayÉ5-10 175 Jr. LB Evan EricksonÉ6-1 190 Sr. LB Sam ThorsonÉ6-3 200 Jr. LB Tanner JohnsonÉ6-2 190 Jr. CB Colin HerronÉ6-1 180 Sr. CB Kalen KjellsenÉ5-8 150 So. S Gabe KjellsenÉ6-0 165 Jr. S Ryan KoehlerÉ5-9 165 Sr.